The crème of Nigeria’s stock market, on Monday, gathered at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for the symbolic closing gong ceremony to mark centenary Pa. Akintola Williams, the only surviving signatory to its Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART), 59 years ago on September 15, 2019.
Acknowledging the significant role played by Pa Williams during the incorporation and early days of the bourse, President and chairman of the NSE’s national council, Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo recalled that the centenarian “served as a member of the committee set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria to carry out a feasibility study on the viability of establishing a stock exchange in Nigeria.
“Pa. Williams worked tirelessly and joined with several distinguished Nigerians to assess the promise and challenges associated with a new stock exchange in Nigeria,” stressing that after six months of extensive research, the committee assured that a stock exchange was not only feasible in Nigeria but timely.
“As a member of the National Council of the Exchange, he contributed in no small measure to the growth of its listing portfolio and established rules reducing barriers for companies to list on The Exchange.
“As the NSE continued to lead the advancement of the Nigerian capital market through inclusive products and services, we look back in gratitude to the contributions of visionary and patriotic icons like Pa. Williams”.
Responding, Pa Williams, who is also the doyen of the accounting profession in Nigeria, and founded the accounting firm of Akintola Williams & Co., (later Akintola Williams Deloitte and now Deloitte), expressed gratitude to all who assembled to celebrate his centenary.
“I am indeed happy and proud to see the progress our project of nearly sixty years ago has made, and I look forward to The Nigerian Stock Exchange’s future advancement with a great deal of anticipation and hope,” he added.
Welcome everybody earlier, Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive of the NSE, expressed honour at celebrating with friends and family, the exemplary life of Pa Williams, noting that clocking 100 in a country where life expectancy hovers around 55 years, is a great landmark.
For Pa Williams, he continued, it is the celebration of a qualitative 100 years, having “lived a life worthy of emulation, resolutely serving our nation at home and abroad, promoting best practices, deterring limitations, and inspiring everyone in his circle to more responsibilities.
“This celebration presents another opportunity to reflect on his achievements and acknowledge the efforts that have brought him this far. It is my hope that we can continue to draw inspiration from his legacy to solve our pertinent socio-economic challenges,” he stressed.
The event was also attended by Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, immediate past President of the NSE council and Goodie Ibru, another past president, among others.